DOB/DOD: October 25, 1981 (Dunoon, Scotland) – June 6, 2004; 22 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
CHILDREN: One daughter, Alexis McCabe (2001-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: Rose Street Extension; East Haven, CT
ENLISTMENT: May 7, 2003
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 91W; Health Care Specialist
UNIT: Company E, 215th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division; Fort Hood, Texas
FAMILY: Born to Gary (1959-) and Constance M. Osborne Hobart (1960-2007). Stepfather, Edward Dziamalek (1961-). Two brothers, Gary E. (1978-) and Steven (1990-).
CIRCUMSTANCES: Died while on guard duty in Baghdad, Iraq. The cause of death is inconclusive.
From The Greenville News (South Carolina) on June 11, 2004
SOLDIER-MOM WHO DIED IN IRAQ MOURNED
22-year-old Collapsed While On Guard Duty
SUMMERVILLE — More than 100 people on Thursday remembered Army Private First Class Melissa Jennifer Hobart as a hero to her family and friends. Hobart, 22, of Ladson, was on guard duty near Baghdad on Sunday morning when she collapsed and died a short time later, according to the Army. No reason for her collapse was given. Hobart’s life was honored during a memorial service at Summerville Presbyterian Church. “She graduated tops in her class as a medic in the Army,” said Bethany Villavicencio, a friend who once worked with Hobart before she joined the military. “She wanted to be a nurse and make a difference.” The Rev. Edward Skiba, chaplain for the Dorchester County Emergency Medical Service and the Civil Air Patrol, told mourners he knew Hobart was now in God’s care. “She knew who she was, and she knew what she was doing. She served her country. She threw out a challenge to everyone here,” Rev. Skiba said. Hobart’s brother, Gary Hobart, is an emergency medical technician with Dorchester County. He said his sister knew the risks when she joined the military 14 months ago. “She didn’t try to hide,” he said. “She knew it was possible she would not return. She joined the service so her daughter wouldn’t have to face the hardships we faced as younger persons.” Later Thursday, Army spokeswoman Jill Mueller said the cause of Hobart’s death was still under investigation.
From The Dayton (OH) Daily News on December 12, 2004
WAR’S OTHER DEATHS
Non-combat fatalities difficult for victims’ families to accept
Excerpt from the article:
The family of 22-year-old Army Specialist Melissa Jennifer Hobart of Ladson, South Carolina, was told she collapsed and died on June 6, 2004, while on guard duty. Though her spirits were low and traces of an antidepressant were found in her system, an autopsy report provided to the family found no lethal doses of any drugs, heart defects, or other physical problems that would explain the death. The report called arrhythmia “the most common cause” in such deaths, but it did not say she had a heart arrhythmia. The otherwise healthy woman died of an “undetermined cause,” according to the report. “She didn’t die of any illness that they could find,” said her mother, Constance Hobart. “She was on guard duty and just dropped. First, they told me that she had a heart attack. I don’t trust them at all anymore.”
From FallenHeroesMemorial.com
“My sister, to come so far on a most difficult journey through life was made more easy by traveling with you. And though I’ve cried a river of tears because you are no longer at my side, I’m so grateful and honored to have been your big brother. June 6th 2004, was the most difficult day of my life, but if I had the choice to not have you as a sister and not have to deal with the pain or to do it all over again the same way, without thinking twice, I would do it again because what you left behind outweighs what you took with you, a piece of me, when you died. But I know you really didn’t die, and I know I will see you again one day. I love you, Melissa. You were my hero before you went away. I promise you I will not forget you. I wish you could have been here to meet your first niece. We have picked out a name. Regan Elizabeth. I hope you like it. She will grow up to know what a wonderful aunt she had. What a hero you were, and how you sacrificed so much so that others may pursue their own dreams. She may not meet you in this life, but she will know you. To everyone who posted messages, thank you so much. There is great comfort in knowing that people do care and that so many people are grateful. God bless you all and your families.”
— Gary E. Hobart of South Carolina
“My sincerest respects and condolences to the family of Private First Class Melissa J. Hobart. She was such an amazing young woman. I cry when I think of each conversation I had with her both at Fort Hood, Texas, and while in Baghdad, Iraq. She is so amazing, even still to me. Not one single Memorial Day goes by that I don’t think of her. There is so much I can say. Nights where I would be right next to her, fixing a tactical piece of communications equipment, as she would call her young daughter from a tactical phone in the CP (Command post) of Charlie Company 215th FSB. Unable to keep from overhearing some of her conversations with her real young child (at that time), I would tear up. She was just such a loving Mother. I was there AT her actual memorial service in Baghdad. I was a wreck because, just days earlier, I had a conversation with her in the stairwell on her FOB, and she was healthy. Just me and her reassuring each other, and she was SO positive. Just the kindest heart. Unaware of the truth, I asked how she perished just hours after. I was told the desert heat, dehydration, and certain medications while on guard duty, but I still don’t know what exactly occurred while she was on guard duty that day or if that was exactly true. She was a friend of mine. I miss her also. May God bless her family and daughter forever. RIP, PFC Melissa Hobart. I know you will always be watching over your daughter and family. I salute you and miss you.”
— Sergeant Nolan Rowley (Veteran) of Birmingham, AL
From IraqWarHeroes.org
I lost my best friend, Melissa, a little over a year ago. It was the hardest thing I ever had to deal with in life. She was the sweetest person in the world. Her passion was to help people, so that’s why she decided to go to Iraq. I begged her not to, but she went anyway. She left behind a daughter who will proudly tell you how great her mommy is, and she also left behind the most loving family I’ve ever known, a now hurt family. It really sucks when you feel helpless, I wish I knew the words to heal their broken hearts, but I guess I should try to fix mine first.
— Anna Casanova
Private First Class Hobart is buried in Beaverdale Memorial Park, 90 Pine Rock Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut; Section M, Lot 131, Grave 1.
WEBMASTER NOTE: This gravesite was unkempt. I was assured by cemetery staff that I was in the right place on the day I visited the cemetery. It was only after I stomped around on the ground that I finally found this footstone. Cemeteries have a thankless and daunting task. They are the ‘keepers’ of veterans’ gravesites and, with that, have a responsibility to maintain them in perpetuity on behalf of the family and the veteran community.
